REPORT 


TO  THE 

CITIZENS'  ASSOCIATION 


OF  CHICAGO. 


* 14 


Bill  M 


DECEMBER,  1880. 


CH ICAGO : 

HAZLITT  & REED,  PRINTERS,  I72  AND  I74  CLARK  STREET. 
1880. 


REPORT 


I DRAINAGE 


mmnn 


CITIZENS’  ASSOCIATION 


OF  CHICAGO. 


DECEMBER,  1880. 


C H IC AGO  : 

HAZLITT  & REED,  PRINTERS,  1 72  AND  1 74  CLARK  STREET. 
1880. 


NOV  Is  1927 


> 


C -t  ?7  ^ 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE,  1880-81. 


Edson  Keith,  President , 

A.  A.  Carpenter,  Vice-President , 

Henry  W.  King,  Max  A.  Mayer, 

Murry  Nelson,  Richard  T.  Crane, 

Marshall  Field, 

Edwin  Lee  Brown,  J.  L.  Thompson, 

Francis  B.  Peabody,  Marx  Wineman, 
Alfred  Bishop  Mason. 


GEORGE  SCHNEIDER, 

Treasurer. 

J.  C.  AMBLER, 

Secretary. 

Rooms,  35  Merchants’  Building. 


55114 


TO  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 


OF  THE 


The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  subject 
of  “Main  Drainage,”  with  a view  of  recommend- 
ing some  system  for  the  disposition  of  the  sewage, 
adapted  to  the  present  and  future  needs  of  Chicago, 
respectfully  submit  the  following  Report : 

You  are  aware  that  there  was  some  hesitancy  and 
delay  in  forming  this  Committee,  consequent  partly,  on 
the  delicacy  inseparable  from  the  fact  that  the  import- 
ance of  the  subject  is  such,  that  any  recommendation 
of  a very  positive  character,  particularly  if  it  conflicts  ma- 
terially with  general  opinions  and  is  calculated  to  disturb 
existing  systems,  must  be  the  subject  of  extended  critic- 
ism, unfavorable  and  otherwise,  by  all  classes  of  intelli- 
gent citizens,  professional,  administrative  and  financial ; 
and  partly  because  it  was  believed  that  more  time  would 
be  required  for  its  full  consideration  than  the  Committee 
could  devote  to  it,  within  the  period  when  you  would 
wish  to  give  it  to  the  public.  Relying  on  your  assur- 


6 


ances  that  the  latter  should  be  regulated  to  suit  the 
circumstances,  and  availing  ourselves  of  the  competent 
engineering  and  clerical  assistance  furnished  to  us,  we  pro- 
ceeded with  the  investigation  necessary  to  comply  with 
the  terms  of  the  letter  of  request  on  which  the  Com- 
mittee was  formed. 

The  importance  of  the  question  submitted  to  us 
requires  no  emphasis ; it  has  been  a great  one,  ever  since 
our  city  inaugurated  the  existing  system  of  sewerage, 
and  it  has  become  of  vital  interest  within  the  last  few 
years;  it  is  now  deemed  paramount,  particularly  in  its 
sanitary  bearings,  by  all  those  who  have  given  intelli- 
gent attention  to  the  subject.  It  has  been  the  topic  of 
active  discussion  for  a long  period,  and  its  interest  seems 
to  have  culminated  at  the  present  time.  It  has  called 
forth  unnumbered  and  some  very  able  communications 
through  the  press,  has  been  the  theme  of 


SCIENTIFIC  DEBATE, 


and  the  prolific  source  of  speculative  propositions  for 
for  its  solution  ; municipal  authorities  have  shrunk  from 
the  task  of  grappling  with  it,  and  legislators  have  recoiled 
from  its  consideration  on  account  of  its  appalling  magni- 
tude. The  policy  heretofore  pursued  in  regard  to  this 
great  question  may  be  justly  called  a temporizing  one  in 
the  most  extended  sense  of  that  term,  for  alkplans  hereto- 
fore adopted  have  confessedly  been  of  a temporary  charac- 
ter, and  the  ultimate  solution  of  the  problem  has  been, 
with  great  unanimity,  deferred  to  some  future  and 
indefinite  time.  But  present  emergencies  seem  to  urge 
forward  opinion  in  the  direction  of  a final  and  decisive 
consideration  of  it,  which  as  your  letter  remarks,  “ has 
not  been  undertaken  a moment  too  soon.” 


7 


After  fully  considering  the  best  mode  of  procedure, 
we  concluded  that  for  the  purpose  of  eliciting  the 
opinions  of  those  who  desired  to  state  their  views  or  to 
submit  plans,  we  would  invite  communications  and  call 
public  meetings,  where  the  whole  subject  would  be  open 
to  discussion  and  where  useful  hints  or  facts  might  be 
elicited  by  interrogatories  made  at  the  moment,  and  by 
bringing  together  parties  who  had  information  to  impart 
or  who  desired  to  substantiate  or  correct  preconceived 
notions.  The  plan  was  eminently  successful ; the  meetings 
were  well  attended  and  very  interesting  to  all  who  partici- 
pated in  them,  particularly  to  our  Committee,  who  were 
thus  enabled  to  collate  and  compare  the  ideas  expressed, 
and  to  correct  erroneous  or  imperfect  impressions  in 
regard  to  this  absorbing  question.  Some  new  facts  were 
presented  and  their  bearing  on  the  subject  was  duly 
considered.  Communications  sent  to  us,  in  accordance 
with  our  invitations,  were  treated  in  the  same  way,  by 
analysis  and  comparison.  A meeting  of  Civil  Engineers 
for  discussion  of  the  same  topic  was  also  well  attended, 
and  included  the  members  of  this  Committee  and  many 
citizens  and  officials.  It  is  from  these  sources  and  inquir- 
ies pursued  privately,  that  we  submit  the  following 
account  of  the  position,  which  we  have  made  as  brief 
as  possible,  and  which,  though  most  of  it  is  already 
familiar  to  the  public,  we  deem  necessary  to  the  sym- 
metry of  our  report.  For  the  sake  of  brevity,  we  shall 
make  no  particular  account  of  figures,  but  confine  our- 
selves to  the  general  view  of  the  subject,  supplemented 
by  a proposed  plan  at  the  close. 


THE  TOPOGRAPHICAL  SITUATION 

of  the  drainage  district  under  consideration  may  be 
briefly  described  as  a strip  of  land,  in  the  eastern  part 
of  Cook  County,  varying  in  width  from  7 to  10  miles, 


8 


traversed  by  the  Chicago  River  its  whole  length,  which  is 
about  40  miles ; the  only  outlet  of  this  River  to  the  Lake 
is  at  the  point  where  the  City  of  Chicago  stands,  about  35 
miles  south  of  the  source  of  the  River,  and  5 miles  north 
of  the  southernmost  of  its  branches  or  forks ; the 
outlet  to  the  Lake  at  Chicago  has  been  widened  and 
deepened  and  its  course  changed  so  that  it  opens  nearly 
due  east,  is  called  the  main  branch  of  the  Chicago  River, 
and  is  at  right  angles  to  the  principal  streams  which  are 
called  respectively  the  North  and  South  Branches.  These 
branches  have  also  been  widened  and  deepened  to  meet 
the  necessary  requirements  of  commercial  enterprise,  so 
that  vessels  of  from  10  to  14  feet  draft  can  navigate  with 
safety  the  River  and  its  branches,  to  a distance  one  mile 
west  from  the  entrance  and  six  miles  north  and  south,  all 
within  the  city.  The  process  of  enlarging  the  River,  at 
Chicago,  has  destroyed  what  little  natural  current  there 
ever  was  in  it,  and  there  is  now  no  other  than  that  caused 
by  winds,  the  inflow  of  water  from  the  lake,  or  a freshet 
caused  by  extraordinary  rain  fall  or  the  melting  of  snow 
and  ice  in  the  spring.  For  the  purposes  of  this  Report  the 
Chicago  River  may  be  described  as  a great  ditch  6 miles 
long,  with  a projection  from  about  the  centre  1 mile  long, 
and  the  whole  averaging  about  150  feet  in  width  and  10 
to  15  feet  deep;  this  ditch  receives  at  its  north  end  a 
small  stream,  (30  miles  in  length),  the  force  of  whose  feeble 
current  is  neutralized  by  the  increased  width  and  depth  of 
the  channel  it  enters,  and  it  has  at  its  south  end  several 
forks  or  branches  which  serve  to  take  off  a small  amount 
of  water;  there  is  also,  from  the  South  end,  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  Canal,  to  which  reference  will  be  made  hereafter. 
Into  this  huge  ditch  the  greater  part  of  the  sewage  and 
other  drainage  of  the  City  of  Chicago  falls,  together 
with  the  offal  of  the  immense  slaughtering  establish- 
ments, situated  in  the  adjoining  Town  of  Lake,  the 
refuse  of  the  manufactories  great  and  small,  and  to 
far  too  great  an  extent,  that  of  the  distilleries  and 
their  adjoining  cattle  pens.  A part  of  the  sewerage  system 


9 


has  its  outlet  directly  into  the  lake  in  front  of  the  city, 
but  that  part  is  by  comparison  so  small  as  to  have  no 
bearing  on  the  main  question  before  us,  at  this  point  of 
its  consideration.  The  whole  geographical  position  is 
backed  on  the  West  by  a ridge,  which  though  of  no 
great  elevation,  is  sufficient  to  form  a water  shed  of 
the  greatest  length  given  above,  with  the  river  running 
through  it  about  equi-distant  from  the  ridge  and  Lake 
Michigan ; the  land  between  the  ridge  and  the  lake 
traversed  by  the  river  is  flat,  and  just  where  the  city 
stands,  is  a little  higher  on  the  West  bank  of  the  river 
than  on  its  East  side,  towards  the  lake ; the  natural 
flow  of  water  from  all  points  is  towards  the  River  and 
not  to  the  Lake. 


THE  ONLY  NATURAL  MEANS 


of  flushing  or  scouring  out  this  great  ditch,  is  from  the 
water  during  rains,  which  flows  into  it  from  the  adjoining 
country,  including  that  part  bordering  the  northern  pro- 
jection, the  freshet  caused  by  the  melting  of  snow  and  ice 
in  the  spring,  and  the  overflow  of  the  Des  Plaines  River, 
which  sometimes  swells  over  the  low  ridge  referred  to 
above,  and  comes  in  great  and  often  destructive  volume 
into  the  South  Branch  and  so  through  the  Main  Branch 
of  the  Chicago  River  into  the  lake.  Could  this  be  relied 
on  at  all  times,  it  might  be  so  utilized  as  to  relieve  the 
drainage  difficulty  now  before  us,  although  it  would  neces- 
sitate some  other  plan  than  that  we  have  adopted  for  our 
water  supply  for  domestic  and  all  other  purposes ; it  is, 
however,  unfrequent  and  undesirable. 

The  obvious  consequence  of  this  state  of  affairs  is 
that  at  all  times  since  the  city  adopted  a system  of  sewer- 
age, the  River  has  been  befouled  with  its  discharges  and 
2 


10 


accretions,  for  which  there  have  been  no  natural  remedies 
except  those  of  the  occasional  character  mentioned  above. 
As  the  population  increased  this  befoulment  became 
more  marked,  and  in  time  so  unendurable  that  relief  of 
some  kind  became  imperatively  necessary,  as,  although 
the  pumping  works  at  Bridgeport,  originally  erected  in 
1847  f°r  purpose  of  supplying  water  to  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  Canal  had  been  utilized  for  the  purpose  of 
cleansing  the  River  to  the  extent  of  their  capacity,  that 
system  was  found  to  be  very  inadequate  for  the  object, 
and  after  five  years  work 


THE  CANAL 


was  widened  and  deepened  so  that  in  1871  it  was  opened 
for  the  inflow  of  the  Chicago  River,  amidst  public  rejoic- 
ings, and  there  was  a sanguine  belief  that  our  drainage 
troubles  were  at  an  end.  It  was  soon  found  that  these 
anticipations  were  doomed  to  disappointment ; the  depth 
of  the  canal  after  enlargement  is  about  eight  feet  less  than 
that  of  the  River,  and  the  sides  were  cut  down  at  an 
unfortunate  angle,  making  them  too  steep  or  upright ; the 
consequence  has  been  that  the  water  flowing  from  the  lake 
to  the  canal,  through  the  river,  has  only  cleansed  that 
portion  of  the  last  which  was  five  feet  above  the  bottom, 
there  being  a recoil  at  the  mitre  sill  of  the  canal,  of  the 
water  below  it,  and  a backward  current  of  greater  or  less 
power  according  to  circumstances  ; besides  this,  the  canal 
began  gradually  to  fill  up  from  the  sediment  carried  into 
it  from  the  river,  and  from  the  deposits  naturally  coming 
over  the  sides,  thus  decreasing  the  depth  and  the  capacity 
for  taking  water  from  the  River;  at  about  this  time,  (1871,) 
also,  the  Lake  began  to  fall,  as  it  is  known  to  do  at 
periods,  diminishing  the  volume  of  water  in  the  River. 
The  net  result  of  all  these  causes  was  soon  apparent.  It 


11 


was  seen  that  by  deepening  the  canal  we  had  only  length- 
ened the  ditch  which  we  call  the  Chicago  River,  and  that 
after  the  canal  had  been  filled,  it  was,  with  such  relief  only 
as  is  obtained  by  opening  the  locks  for  the  passage  of 
vessels  or  other  purposes,  fast  becoming  as  foul  as  the  river 
itself,  to  the  unmitigated  annoyance  of  the  inhabitants 
along  its  line ; and  it  was  the  subject  of  their  loud 
protests.  Nothing  can  keep  it  even  moderately  clean 
but  constant  dredging,  rendered  more  expensive  from 
the  very  fact  that  it  has  been  deepened. 

Some  other  means  of  cleansing  the  River  was 
demanded,  and  the 


FULLERTON  AVENUE  CONDUIT 


was  projected,  to  scour  the  river  by  pumping  from  the 
Lake,  or,  vice  versa , to  create  a current  through  the  main 
River,  up  the  North  Branch,  and  so  out  into  the  Lake, 
flushing  the  South  Branch  as  a collateral  measure  by  the 
natural  process  of  displacement  or  suction  which  would 
follow. 

It  were  profitless  to  attempt  to  detail  the  various 
annoyances  the  public  have  been  subjected  to  during 
these  many  years  they  have  been  waiting  for  some  plan 
of  relief  for  their  sufferings  from  the  foul  condition  of 
their  principal  sewer,  which  unfortunately  for  the  pur- 
poses of  drainage,  is  also  a navigable  river;  an  overflow  of 
the  Des  Plaines  or  a freshet  from  any  cause  has  been 
hailed  with  something  akin  to  delight,  and  a easterly 
storm  by  driving  in  the  water  to  dilute  and  carry  off 
part  of  the  filth  has  been  looked  upon  as  a blessing. 

We  have  arrived,  in  this  report,  at  that  period  of 
time,  (February  and  March,  1880,)  when,  while  the  Fuller- 


12 


ton  Avenue  Conduit  is  in  full  and  partly  successful 
operation,  the  public  meetings  referred  to  above  were 
held  with  the  view  of  a free  discussion  of  the  whole 
subject. 

In  addition  to  the  facts  hereinbefore  stated,  some 
others  having  a very  imporant  bearing  on  this  question 
were  brought  to  light,  the  principal  one  being  that  which 
relates  to  the  operation  of  the  Fullerton  Avenue  Conduit, 
which  had  at  that  time  been  sufficiently  tried  in  one 
direction,  that  of  sending  water  from  the  Lake  into  the 
River,  and  so  out  by  the  Main  Branch  into  the  Lake 
again,  to  develop  the  danger  there  would  at  all  times  be 
of  fouling  the  water  supply  for  domestic  purposes;  the 
experiments  made  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  such  a 
probability,  demonstrated  conclusively  that  a very  consid- 
erable quantity  of  the  filth  discharged  from  the  mouth  of 
the  river  found  its  way  back  into  the  water  pipes,  and 
further  investigation  has  shown  that  except  under  favor- 
able conditions  this  will  always  be  the  case,  as  the  con- 
tents of  the  river  will  not,  all  of  them,  mingle  immediately 
with  pure  water,  and  be  carried  away  by  any  current  that 
may  be  caused  by  winds,  favorable  for  the  purpose,  but 
for  a long  time  will  float  about  the  lake  in  a semi-isolated 
mass,  subject  to  the  effect  of  such  winds  and  currents  as 
may  strike  them,  and  always  liable  to  run  into  the  tunnel  at 
the  crib;  and  for  this  reason,  that  there  is  always  there  an 
effective  current  for  a considerable  distance  in  every 
direction,  around  and  tending  towards  the  Crib.  It  was 
shown  also,  that  temporary  relief  could  be  obtained  by 
the  immediate  re-erection  of  the  pumping  works  at 
Bridgeport,  and  it  is  believed  that  with  the  aid  of  the 
Fullerton  Avenue  Conduit,  these  pumping  works  at 
the  entrance  of  the  Canal  will  afford  such  a measure  of 
relief  as  will  enable  the  city  to  get  along  with  moderate 
annoyance  for  five  years  or  so,  or  until  some  better  system 
has  been  brought  into  operation.  The  immediate  re-erec- 
tion of  those  pumps  was,  therefore,  the  recommendation 


13 


made  by  our  Committee,  through  you,  to  the  municipal 
authorities,  as  a temporary  expedient,  and  the  money 
having  been  appropriated  by  the  Council  for  the  purpose, 
the  action  of  the  City  Executive  is  awaited  with  becom- 
ing patience. 

Review  the  topographical  situation  as  hereinbefore 
given,  revise  the  meagre  history  of  the  attempts  to  purify 
the  River,  consider  the  feeble  means  now  in  operation  and 
those  necessarily  temporary  adjuncts  looked  for  at  an  early 
date,  and  to  these  considerations  add  the  probability  that 
the  drainage  district  we  have  contemplated  is  to  be  the 
home  of  2,500,000  people  within  the  period  of  existence 
of  many  now  living,  and  you  have  before  you  the  drainage 
problem  as  we  understand  it. 

It  should  in  justice  be  said  that  any  attempts  hereto- 
fore made  to  relieve  the  difficulties  which  are  under 
consideration  have  necessarily  been  of  a temporary  or 
make-shift  character,  and  that  this  has  been  the  outcome 
of  a want  of  sufficient  means  to  carry  out  comprehensive 
plans  for  this  or  any  other  great  public  improvement ; and 
besides,  the  unparalleled  growth  of  Chicago  has  set  at 
naught  the  calculations  of  its  most  sanguine  municipal 
administrators,  and  in  nothing  more  than  in  this  drainage 
question ; the  manufactories  and  packing  houses  alone, 
which  turn  their  debris  into  the  River,  exceeding  in  their 
magnitude  all  suggestions  of  but  a few  years  since. 

Since  the  date  alluded  to  above,  (February  and 
March,  1880),  the  history  of  this  subject  can  be  briefly 
sketched  and  is  of  interest.  The  machinery  of  the 
Fullerton  Avenue  Conduit  has  been  reversed  and  the 
river  water  has  been  continuously  pumped  towards  the 
lake,  while  during  the  same  time  there  has  been  one  of 
those  periodical  phenomena  called  a “ rise  of  the  lake”, 
an  occurrence  which  takes  place  about  once  in  seven  years 
and  has  always  been  followed  by  a corresponding 


14 


recedence,  gradual  in  its  character,  until  the  lowest  point 
is  reached.  The  effect  of  these  two  causes  has  been  to 
give  parts  of  the  river  an  appearance  of  cleanliness,  as 
the  fresh  water  over-rides  the  filth,  while  the  action  of 


THE  CONDUIT 


is  continually  drawing  off  the  latter  from  the  North 
Branch,  while  at  the  same  time  the  rise  of  the  river 
and  recent  dredging  of  the  Canal  has  opened  a passage 
in  that  direction  which  takes  off  a part  from  the 
South  Branch ; what  drainage  matter  does  not  pass  off  in 
this  way  remains  covered  over  by  the  clear  water  and 
gradually  works  it  way  in  a feeble  under  current  towards 
the  mouth  of  the  river  and  the  lake,  or  backed  up  into 
the  sewers,  is  reflected  in  those  nauseous  vapors  which 
have  so  much  disturbed  the  inhabitants  of  the  North 
and  South  Divisions,  and  in  a less  degree  those  in  the 
West  Division,  during  the  last  summer.  There  can 
be  no  doubt  that  if  the  pumps  into  the  Canal  were  now 
in  position  and  operation,  the  combined  action  of  the 
three  powers  mentioned  above,  would  give  us  as  clear  a 
river  as  it  is  possible  for  us  to  get  with  our  present 
resources. 

It  is  believed  that  the  canal  has  the  capacity  for 
taking  all  the  water  that  it  would  be  desirable  to  pump 
into  it,  and  that  if  the  proposed  pumping  works  were  so 
constructed,  with  a trap  wall,  so  as  to  take  the  water 
from  the  bottom  or  lower  part  of  the  river,  there  would 
be  a decided  improvement  in  drawing  off  some  of  the 
heavier  matter. 

It  now  becomes  our  duty  to  consider  the  numerous 
and  various  plans  presented  to  us  for  the  final  and  decisive 


15 


SOLUTION  OF  THE  PROBLEM 


presented ; and  in  doing  so  we  have  only  to  regret 
that  many  ingenious  suggestions  have  to  be  passed 
over  with  the  general  remark  that  in  our  judgement 
they  are  not  adapted  to  application  on  such  a gigantic  scale 
as  that  which  is  presented  to  our  view  of  the  situation  ; in 
smaller  constituencies  they  would  find  a better  field  of 
usefulness  The  first  of  feasable  propositions  that  presents 
itself,  has  the  endorsement  of  such  high  authority,  that  of 
itself  it  is  entitled  to  the  primary  consideration  which  we 
give  it:  it  is,  to  erect  works  of  a similar  character  to  the 
Fullerton  Avenue  Conduit  at  the  southernmost  end  of  the 
South  Branch,  and  by  the  process  now  in  practice,  to 
pump  the  water  either  from  the  Lake  into  the  River,  or 
flush  the  River  by  reversing  that  process  and  allowing  the 
water  to  pass  through  the  main  channel  and  by  the  North 
and  South  branches  into  the  conduits  and  so  into  the 
Lake.  That  this  would  be  effective  for  a district  circum- 
scribed in  extent  is  quite  apparent,  but  that  it  would  not 
be  a solution  of  the  great  problem  is  also  so  apparent  that 
it  is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  the  fact  that  it  makes  no  pro- 
vision for  any  afflux  of  ingredients  beyond  the  narrow 
boundaries  of  its  termini ; this  scheme  appears  to  us  local 
and  narrow  in  its  general  characteristics,  and  unworthy 
of  consideration  in  a general  sense.  It  is  embarrassed, 
also,  with  the  general  objections  expressed  below,  with 
regard  to  the  expense  of  pumping  operations,  and  of  the 
discharge  of  filth  into  the  lake. 

Another,  and  by  all  means  in  our  view,  the  most 
feasable  and  proper  mode  for  ridding  ourselves  of  the 
difficulty  growing  out  of  the  drainage  question,  excepting 
that  which  we  shall  ultimately  present,  is  that  of  an 


16 


INTERCEPTING  SEWER, 

which,  traversing  the  river  bank  on  both  sides  shall  deliver 
the  city  sewage  at  some  point  where  it  can,  by  the  appli- 
cation of  power,  be  discharged  somewhere,  either  into 
the  Lake,  or  upon  land  selected  for  the  purpose,  of 
sufficient  extent  to  absorb  the  issue  for  a term  of  years. 
The  advantages  of  a syphon  principle  as  applied  to  such 
a plan  are  not  sufficiently  apparent  to  warrant  more  than 
a general  reference  to  them. 

Another  project  is  to  allow  all  the  water  of  the 
drainage  district  above  the  city  limits,  to  traverse  a canal 
constructed  for  the  purpose,  in  the  rear  of  the  city, 
supplemented  by  the  Fullerton  Avenue  Conduit,  and  to 
turn  all  the  sewers  west  of  the  river  into  that  canal, 
which  would  find  its  outlet  into  the  Des  Plaines  River; 
the  sewers  in  the  South  and  North  divisions  of  the 
city,  to  be  discharged  into  the  Lake. 

The  embarrassments  referred  to  above  as  a general 
objection  to  anyone  or  all  of  the  plans  presented  to  us  are 
that  they  involve  continual  and  increasing  expenditures 
for  their  successful  operation,  in  the  way  of  pumping  or 
other  mechanical  appliances,  and  that,  even  when  success- 
fully prosecuted,  their  effects  are  local.  But  the  most 
objectionable  feature  of  all  is,  that  the  ultimate  dispo- 
sition of  the  sewage  is  towards  the  Lake. 

In  the  plan  which  we  shall  hereafter  present  the 
objections  to  an  intercepting  sewer,  growing  out  of  the 
expense  of  pumping  or  final  disposition  of  the  sewage 
are  overcome. 

Our  objections  to  any  plan  which  suggests  the  dis- 
charge of  sewage  or  other  impure  matter  into  the  Lake, 


17 


where  they  could  in  any  event  contaminate  the  water 
supply,  are  so  fixed,  that  part  of  the  recommendation  in 
the  plan  we  shall  hereafter  propose,  is,  that  a radical 
change  in  the  whole  system  of  sewerage  in  the  North  and 
South  divisions  shall  be  inaugurated,  by  which  all  sewers 
shall  empty  into  the  River,  and  although  we  have  given 
careful  consideration  to  all  plans  laid  before  us,  we  make 
no  reference  to  any,  except  those  mentioned  above, 
which  propose  the  use  of  the  lake  for  the  ultimate  disposi- 
tion of  the  sewage.  Just  here  it  is  proper  to  remark, 
that  the  filthy  water  flowing  from  the  Fullerton  Avenue 
Conduit,  when  it  is  operated  in  the  direction  of  the 
Lake,  is  traceable  for  a long  distance  out  towards  the 
crib,  unless  a strong  wind  carries  it  along  the  shore.  Any 
attempt  to  remedy  this  by  extending 


THE  TUNNEL  AND  CRIB 


further  out  to  the  eastward,  would,  in  our  judgment  be 
futile,  and  suggestions  for  carrying  the  pumping  works  for 
the  water  supply  northward,  to  some  distant  location  on 
the  Lake  Shore,  besides  being  a partial  remedy  only, 
would  be  attended  with  a much  greater  expense  than 
what  we  consider  a more  feasable  plan  would  cost. 

It  has  also  been  suggested  to  us,  that  if  the  locks 
and  dams  in  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  were  removed, 
the  water  would  flow  freely  through  the  canal  and  so 
cleanse  the  river ; but  to  this  it  is  answered,  that  such  a 
course  would  destroy  the  usefulness  of  the  canal  for 
purposes  of  navigation,  interfere  with  many  private  rights, 
and  require  that  the  canal  should  be  deepened  to  the 
depth  of  the  river,  at  a very  large  expense,  which  can  be 
utilized  for  another  project  unobjectionable  in  any  of  its 
other  features. 

3 


18 


We  wish  to  remark,  before  proceeding  to  another 
branch  of  the  subject,  and  in  reply  to  a suggestion,  that 
while  the  proposed  pumping  works  at  Bridgeport  are  in 
operation,  the  water  should  be  shut  off  from  the  North 
Branch,  or  that  gates  at  the  forks  of  the  River  should  be 
used  ; that,  in  our  judgement,  would  not  be  necessary, 
as  we  have  competent  authority  for  the  opinion  that  the 
waters  forced  down  the  North  Branch  by  the  Fullerton 
Avenue  pumps,  would  mingle  with  that  coming  in  from 
the  lake,  and  take  a southerly  direction  towards  the  works 
at  the  canal. 

Alternative  propositions  have  presented  themselves 
to  our  minds,  for  the  final  solution  of  this  great  problem  ; 
the  one  which  at  first  seems  most  plausible,  partly  because 
it  follows  in  the  direction  of  public  opinion,  as  at  present 
pointed,  is  that  of  a Ship  Canal,  the  suggestions  for  which 
embody  plans  for  the  construcion  of  one  of  great  dimen- 
sions, into  which  it  is  proposed  to  drain  Chicago  City,  and 
the  district  we  have  hereinbefore  described.  We  have 
given  a large  share  of  our  attention  to  this  scheme,  and 
although  we  are  unanimously  and  cordially  in  favor  of  a 
ship  canal  as  such,  we  cannot  give  it  the  sanction  of  our 
favorable  opinion  as  a drain;  as  such  it  would  be  liable 
to  all  the  objections  now  urged  against  the  present  canal, 
as  to  its  annoyance  of  the  inhabitants  along  its  banks,  for 
the  reason  that  any  current  which  would  move  the  water 
with  sufficient  velocity  to  prevent  the  deposit  of  filth, 
would  impair  its  usefulness  for  commercial  purposes,  it 
having  been  well  ascertained,  that  no  current  greater 
than  half  a mile  per  hour  is  tolerable  in  slack  water 
navigation.  The  project  for  the  construction  of  such  a 
canal,  is  embarrassed,  also,  with  many  considerations  of 
a political  nature,  which  we  do  not  deem  it  within  our 
province  to  consider,  preferring  to  present  the  other  plan, 
which  can  be  carried  out  within  a reasonable  time,  at  a 
very  moderate  cost,  and  which  is  wholly  within  the  scope 
of  the  pecuniary  means  of  those  for  whose  benefit  it  will 


19 


have  been  constructed,  and  will,  it  is  believed,  be  wholly 
devoid  of  offence  to  any  locality  or  people. 

We  present  to  you  and  the  public  a proposition  or 
plan  for  an  independent  cut  for  the  drainage  of  the  district 
to  which  we  have  heretofore  alluded,  the  details  of  which 
are  embodied  in  the  following  report,  from  the  well  known 
and  competent  engineer  whose  name  it  bears,  whose 
services  you  placed  at  our  disposal,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  estimates,  and  drawing  the  map  and  profile 
accompanying  it,  reduced  copies  of  which  we  append 
hereto,  and  the  originals  of  which  are  on  exhibition  at 
your  rooms  in  this  city,  for  inspection  of  the  public. 

Such  is  the  plan  proposed  for  the  drainage  ol 
Chicago,  which,  it  is  believed,  will  accomplish  the  object 
desired  for  all  time  to  come. 

To  complete  it,  however,  the  sewers  discharging  into 
the  Lake  will  have  to  be  reversed,  and  made  to  empty 
into  the  river,  as  also,  the  local  drains  in  the  adjoining 
towns  north  of  the  city,  as  far  as  the  source  of  the 
Chicago  River,  and  those  of  Hyde  Park.  The  towns  of 
Lake  and  Cicero  will  also  come  within  the  drainage  dis- 
trict herein  proposed.  In  reversing  the  city  sewers,  such 
a fall  should  be  made  as  would  carry  the  lake  water 
through  them,  thus  cleansing  and  rendering  them  inoffen- 
sive at  all  times.  The  Fullerton  Avenue  Conduit  could 
remain  as  it  is,  or  its  tunnel  could  be  utilized  for  additional 
water  supply.  An  intercepting  sewer  can  be  built  if 
needed. 

The  forks  and  branches  of  the  River  at  the  south 
end  of  it  will  purify  themselves,  as  their  contents  will 
gravitate  towards  the  current  created  by  the  outflow  of 
water  to  the  cut  or  New  River,  as  it  may  be  called  for 
the  purpose  of  description.  The  current  in  this  New  River 
will  be  at  the  rate  of  about  2tW  miles  per  hour;  the  water 


20 


in  Chicago  River  will  be  changed  every  24  hours,  with 
one  million  of  cubic  feet  over,  and  the  whole  body  of  it 
within  the  city  limits,  will  be  by  this  operation,  become 
as  clear  as  that  of  the  lake ; the  effect  upon  the  waters  at 
its  point  of  discharge,  will  be  to  greatly  improve  them 
in  every  respect. 

To  carry  into  effect  such  a project,  so  vast  and  so 
important,  some  legislation  will  probably  be  necessary,  to 
extend  the  provisions  of  the  present  drainage  law,  so  as 
to  create  a drainage  district  and  a commission  for  the  pur- 
pose. The  estimated  cost  of  the  New  River  is  $6,850,000, 
but  to  complete  the  project  in  every  respect,  the  sum  of 
$12,000,000  will  probably  be  necessary.  The  Commission- 
ers who  may  have  charge  of  the,  operation,  should  be 
empowered  to  borrow  the  money  for  the  purpose,  on  the 
credit  of  the  district  benefited  and  incorporated  by  law, 
and  such  a loan  would  probably,  if  redeemable  in  30  years 
or  more,  be  readily  taken  at  four  per  cent.  Even  at  a 
low  assessed  valuation  of  property,  a tax  of  two  mills 
would  be  amply  sufficient  to  pay  the  interest  and  provide 
a sinking  fund  for  the  principal.  As  projects  for  the 
storage  of  water  in  the  upper  Mississippi  district,  and 
about  the  sources  of  the  Missouri  and  Rock  Rivers,  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  those  streams  in  seasons  of 
drought  or  low  stages,  have  been  before  Congress,  it  is 
probable  that  such  a plan  as  this,  would  meet  with  equal 
favor  there  for  a similar  purpose. 

Respectfully  Submitted, 

JOHN  B.  SHERMAN, 

GEO.  C.  MORGAN, 

S.  B.  REED. 

Committee  on  Main  Drainage. 


1 


21 


J.  C.  AMBLER,  Esq. 


Secretary  Citizens’  Association, 

Room  35,  Merchants’  Building,  N.  W.  Cor. 

La  Salle  and  Washington  Streets,  Chicago. 


Dear  Sir: 

On  the  nth  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1880,  a telegram  was  received  from 
you,  asking  for  a consultation  with  me  at  your  office  or  rooms,  on  the  12th, 
in  regard  to  the  drainage  of  the  City  of  Chicago. 

On  that  day  I met  you  and  others,  for  the  purpose  proposed,  and 
after  a free  exchange  of  views,  received  an  order  from  you,  as  Secretary  of 
the  Citizens’  Association,  to  prepare  a map  and  profile,  with  approximate 
estimates  of  cost,  for  a sewer  for  such  drainage,  with  limit  of  time  to  12th 
day  of  September  following. 

Herewith  I hand  you  a map,  drawn  from  the  U.  S.  Government  sur- 
veys, and  from  my  own  surveys  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal,  which 
were  executed  in  behalf  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

On  this  map,  marked  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  H,  in  red  ink,  will  be  noted 
a line  in  heavy  red  ink,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Regula  or  Mud  Lake  fork 
of  the  South  Branch  of  the  Chicago  River,  running  off  west,  and  through 
said  Lake,  toward  the  DesPlaines  River,  north  of  summit,  and  then  curving 
round  to  the  left,  keeping  away  to  the  left,  and  passing  along  in  a southwest 
direction  between  the  Canal  and  River,  past  the  ice  houses,  and  between 
said  houses  and  the  River,  to  Mount  Forest,  Willow  Spring,  Sag  Bridge 
Station,  and  Lemont,  to  the  Romeo  bend  of  the  Canal,  Norton’s  Tail  Race 
at  Lockport,  and  to  a point  opposite  Lock  No.  1,  at  Lockport.  Thence  to  a 
point  at  the  head  of  the  pond  of  Dam  No.  1,  Joliet,  a few  hundred  feet 
northwest  of  Lock  No.  4,  of  the  I.  & M.  Canal,  a distance  not  far  from 
31  miles. 

While  conversing  with  you  on  this  subject,  it  was  stated,  that  where 
the  levels  were  not  satisfactory  to  me,  as  to  points  on  the  DesPlaines  below 
Joliet,  new  levels  should  be  taken,  and  a profile  thereof  made. 

A corps  of  engineers  was  set  at  work  from  Norton’s  tail  race  at 
Lockport,  to  a point  on  Lake  Joliet,  a distance  of  about  seven  miles,  the 
result  of  which  survey  and  levels  you  will  see  on  the  map  and  profile, 
marked  A,  B,  C. 


22 


After  carefully  looking  over  the  excavation  to  be  done,  on  a line 
extending  the  sewer  below  Lock  No.  4 ; costing  in  the  aggregate  about 
$613,000,  with  no  adequate  compensation,  it  was  apparent  that  the  sewer 
proposed,  should  terminate  near  said  Lock  No.  4 at  B,  see  map  and  profile . 


Then,  commencing  for  the  south-western  terminus  of  the  sewer  at 
B,  and  running  on  the  red  line  about  2 *4  miles  N.  N.  E.,  we  reach  a point 
opposite  Lock  No.  1,  with  a fall  to  the  south  of  about  12  feet  in  bottom  of 
sewer,  or  4T8^  feet  fall  per  mile,  and  the  average  width  of  15  feet. 


Then  run  north  and  north-east  upon  the  red  line,  past  Romeo  and 
Lemont,  Sag  Bridge  Station,  Willow  Springs,  Mount  Forest,  Summit  and 
Mud  Lake,  or  regular  route,  we  touch  Bridgeport,  a distance  from  Lock 
No.  1,  of  29  miles,  and  an  ascent  of  1 foot  per  mile,  making  29  feet  fall 
from  Bridgeport  to  Lockport,  in  bottom  of  sewer,  with  a width  of  sewer  at 
lower  end,  of  20  feet , and  at  upper  end,  of  49  feet , for  compensation. 


This  route,  as  will  appear  by  the  red  ink  line  on  the  map,  lies  north 
and  west  of,  and  entirely  away  from,  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  and 
its  right  of  way. 


Where  deemed  necessary,  the  bottom  of  the  sewer  shall  have  an 
inverted  arch  of  long  pave,  and  the  sides  thereof,  to  a point  14  feet  above 
bottom,  should  be  lined  by  a good,  firm,  retaining  wall. 


Good  substantial  abutments  and  bridges  at  all  crossings  will  be 
necessary  throughout,  and  at  Big  Run — Norton’s  tail  race  and  Fraction 
Run  ; an  arch  about  300  feet  long,  in  each,  will  be  needed  to  let  the  water 
from  these  several  places,  pass  over  the  top  of  the  sewer. 


The  eastern  portion  of  this  route  is  already  excavated  to  about  the 
proper  width,  but  not  to  the  proper  depth. 


The  sewer  when  completed  should  draw  water  from  the  surface  to 
the  bottom  of  the  River,  low  water,  datum  line,  for  the  first  29  miles,  mak- 
ing a “ wet  line  ” as  shown  on  the  profile,  and  draw  to  bottom  of  River 
at  H,  as  per  profile. 


A portion  of  West  Chicago,  and  the  Town  of  Cicero,  under  an 
arrangement  with  the  city,  may  drain  directly  into  the  main  sewer. 


The  amount  of  excavation  for  the  above  sewer,  by  a carefnl  approx- 
imate estimate  will  be  3,031,  285,00  cubic  yards. 


23 


Cost  of  Excavation. — Earth  and  rock — slope  wall — in- 
verted arch  in  bottom  and  the  three  arches  afore- 


said  $6,365,698.00 

Contingencies,  Engineering,  etc 483,625.00 

Total  cost --$6,849,323.00 


Having  set  forth  the  cubic  yards  to  be  excavated  in  the  above  sewer, 
including  earth  and  rock,  with  the  probable  cost,  I will  proceed  to  state  the 
cubic  feet  of  water  which  the  sewer  is  expected  to  pass,  at  a point  opposite 
Lock  No.  1,  with  a clear  width  of  20  feet,  a depth  of  10  feet,  a fall  of  1 
foot  per  mile,  and  a width  at  upper  end  of  sewer  of  49  feet,  and  widening 
from  Lock  1 to  head  of  sewer,  at  the  rate  of  1 foot  per  mile,  as  compensa- 
tion ; with  this  area  of  flow  of  water,  say  10  ft.  x 20  ft.,  making  a ‘‘wet 
line  ” of  40  feet,  we  have  reason  to  expect  a discharge  of  632  cubic  feet 
of  water  per  second  ; 37,947  cubic  feet  in  a minute  ; 2,276,820  cubic  feet  in 
an  hour,  and  in  24  hours,  54,643,680  cubic  feet. 

In  seven  miles  length  of  Chicago  River,  I have  estimated  53,734,080 
cubic  feet  of  water,  from  the  data  furnished  me,  and  hence  we  deduce  it  as 
a theoretical  fact,  that  the  sewer  will  discharge  the  entire  amount  of  water 
in  the  Chicago  River  in  24  hours,  and  then  draw  about  1,000,000  cubic  feet 
of  clear  Lake  water  through  the  sewer  beside.  But  as  theory  is  sometimes 
doubted  as  against  practical  experience,  we  can  afford  to  assume,  with  the 
light  we  have,  that  in  twenty-four  hours  we  can  drain  the  Chicago  River. 

I have,  as  already  mentioned,  run  new  levels  and  a transit  line  for 
about  seven  miles  of  the  distance,  and  have  given  the  general  subject  as 
much  time  for  investigation  as  was  practicable,  unless  I had  been  ordered 
to  make  a careful  survey  the  entire  distance. 

As  approximate  estimates  of  excavation,  I consider  them  reliable, 
and  have  attempted  to  keep  within  the  limit  of  error  in  my  calculation  of 
the  flow  of  water  through  this  long  passage  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Des 
Plaines  River. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Dated  at  Joliet,  this  3d  day  of  September,  1880. 


A.  J.  MATHEWSON. 


